How old were you when you had kids?

stevewynjones

My wife was 30 and I was 32 when we had our first...we now have another 2 and the youngest is 2. given the choice again I would have had them all before I was 25.

I'll be 56 by the time my youngest is 18....too old.

sheclimber

I was 34 when my son was born. I think I'm doing a much better job now than I probably would have years before that - regarding patience, knowing who I am as a person, and what I want out of life, and the values I want my son to learn by watching me as an example. I feel like in my younger years I was struggling to figure myself out, how would I have been ready to teach/raise another human being things I didn't know myself?

^^^
THIS! I was 34 as well when my daughter was born and feel exactly the same way. I didn't get married until I was 30 either, cause I knew I wasn't ready before then. Got married thinking I didn't want kids, because of patience issues. You have to do things in your own time.

Swissmiss

First one at age 17. Last one at 42. (Was actually pregnant at 45)

ShareeMorty

My son was born 4days after my 30th birthday and my daughter 16 months later. I certainly couldn't have coped with difficult pregnancies and traumatic births at your age. I didn't even know who I was at the time.

Kids are a joy but they are also damn hard work, expensive, hard work, tiring, expensive and oh yeah bloody hard work!

I think late 20s to early 30s is ideal, I wish I had met my husband earlier and spent more time together as a couple first, but then I think if we had we wouldn't have had our kids. I would advise you make sure you have some financial stability and a rock solid relationship first cos if anything will break up a relationship it is kids and money.

travisseger

My wife was 26 and I was 27 when we had our first daughter. She was 32 and I was 33 when we had our second daughter. We got married right after college - at ages 21 and 22 - and decided beforehand that we would take the first five years of our marriage to get our careers started and do what we wanted to do before we had children. No regrets on that at all.

Sassy922

I was 19 & 20 when I had my first 2, 26 when I had my last. I can't change the past so I don't put too much energy in figuring out if I'd do it the same all over again. and to answer your question, I don't think anyone is ever ready for this life changing event 100%.

AveryWays

It's all a matter of preference. I knew I wanted to enjoy my kids when I still had the energy to go after them. My best friend in high school lost her dad during her sophomore year and then lost her mom junior year in college. Her parents married late in life and had them in their 40s. I wanted to have my kids before the age of 30 before you get more prenatal tests to take. I had my first daughter at 25, my second daughter at 28, my son at 29 and my youngest daughter at 31. My doctor wanted me to take more batteries of prenatal test with my last pregnancy that I don't ever recall taking with the previous 3 kids. Her reasoning is as we age there are other factors to consider that would effect baby's developement. Funny how life works- I was hoping to have a girl and boy and ended up with 4 then divorced :laugh:

StrengthIDidntKnow

I was 32 when my daughter was born, perfect timing for us.

Jo_permiegirl

like many on here I had mine at 19.. it was different to your situation though... I went into the Dr's with a cold and walked out pregnant!!! she was not planned and even though I had been with the father for a few years before I knew that he would choose not to be in her life. Yes it was hard, yes we were broke, yes everyone gave their opinion including adoption, termination and the like but I DO NO REGRET ONE MOMENT, I now have 3 wonderful children, my eldest now 16 and am truly happy.

I look at a lot of my friends and they are just starting... I am closer to the finish line, my youngest is 12 this year. I feel that I have a much better conection with my children than many of the older parents that we know and I am far more open to discussing issues than the other 'older parents' (just an observations not a generalisation).

If your planning then wait till YOU ARE BOTH READY, you do not want to be sitting at the Gyno's looking at your husband/boyfriend and thinking oh dear, what have I done.

but what ever happens, you will be okay

JoolieW68

I had my son just shy of 24, and my daughter when I was 30.

Interestingly enough, 30 seems to run in my family. My grandmother was 30 when she had my mom, my mom was 30 when she had me, and I was 30 when I had my daughter. My daughter said she's waiting until she's 30 to have kids and I'M FINE WITH THAT.

scs143

26 with my first and 32 with my twins.

I am done I think. I kind of like the idea of having some freedom in my 40's. They will be older, easier and not so constant.

RobinShay

I was 21 with my 1st. 26 with my second and 32 with my last (set of twins). I really enjoyed the space between my children. You will know when you are ready. give yourself time.

KrystieNye

I had my son one month before my 21st birthday (he was an unplanned blessing), and I had my daughter when I was 25 (she was planned). All I can say is, raising kids is the hardest job you will EVER have. You will have little to no time for yourself, it is much harder to connect as a couple when you are trying to meet the needs of a child, and it is VERY expensive. That being said, I love both of my kids very much and I don't regret having either of them at the ages I did. Yes, I would like to have more time to do things that I want to do...and I would love to have more "alone" time with my husband, but what parent doesn't feel that way?

It is hard when I see other people our age going out every night, or just going out whenever they feel like it, but my husband and I will get to experience that too- it will just take much longer for us to get there. When other people are shuttling their kids back and forth to kindergarten, ours will be grown. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is good and bad in everything. Don't have kids before you're ready, but know that when you do choose to have them, you will sacrifice for them because you will love them more than you love yourself.

stroken96

I was 17 when I had my first daughter.
I was 18 when I had my second daughter.
They are 13 months apart

lwoods34

I got pregnant And had my first child at 32! I'm 34 now and don't plan on having anymore!! We wanted to wait until we could afford it!

Lil_MiSsSunshiNe

to be determined......

jvizcarra

I would recommend waiting! I had my son at 17 and it was certinaly not a celebration within my family. I dedicated my life to my son and would not change a thing. But that being said I do wish that my pregnancy and child had been more of a celebration and a little bit less challenging. I do believe that the experiences we gain in life help us to better prepare for the joys and challenges of raising children! That being said here I am now at 42, recently married and loving life; travelling and being independant! I think you will know when the time is right!

skinyZ

i was 18 when i had my first child and i wouldnt change it for the world, i was a kid who didnt have any life goals and didnt really know where i was going, the responsibility of having a child helped me grow up now i know exactly what i want for myself and children and where i wanna be in 5 years and also how im going to get there.
if i didnt have kids i would be drunk or high at a party, blowing my money on stupid things living at my mums and frankly doing f**k all so having children when i did was a good thing for me, having said that i dont think its a good thing for everyone

nboot1

I was 16 with my first son, I was in 11th grade. I finished high school and I think i was a really good mom. My son is going into 8th grade in the fall with stright A's, he is a great kid and I would not trade him for the world. With that said I would never recomend having a child at that age. I left my sons father when he was three, and I married my husband when my son was seven. I now have two more boys (5, and 2) being married and planning children was a far better experience, everyone was happy for me!

tashjs21

I was 28 when I had my daughter and it was perfect. I got all of my partying out of the way and experienced A LOT before having the responsibility for another human being. And I feel like I am more giving and nurturing as a mother. I don't know that I would have been that way as a young mother.

I am 30 and we are trying for another one so we aren't having children too late.

If you don't feel like you want kids right now or that could give it your all, then wait. Nothing wrong with that. :flowerforyou:

Laura_beau

It comes down to choice and personal circumstances really. My Mum was 20 when she had me- but she had been married for 2 years, and had a house & a husband with a good salary.

I'm nearly 29 and have not had children yet, but I'm glad as my circumstances have been different. I have had a long education, been to university and built a good career. I am unmarried and live in a rented apartment still in a city centre. I *personally* would like to wait a couple more years until I move into a bigger house outside the city, with good savings and get married- so approx 31-33 years old. However I am in a stable job and relationship so if it were to happen sooner by accident- no biggie we would work things out.

sdereski

I was 20 & 22. I would have preferred to wait a few more years, but once I had my first...
I was a good mom even at a young age. When we were in our early 40s we were on our own and financially able to do all the fun stuff we missed doing when we had our family young. We're now "young" grandparents and love it!

GretchenReine

I had my son when I was 25 and my daughter when I was 37. They're both keepers...but having a toddler while I'm dealing with my 40s can be trying sometimes!

Lisammy

I was 30 when I had my daughter I had 9 years of marriage before that...it was a lot of fun being with each other and getting to really know and appreciate each other completely. I'd advise anyone to wait, don't give in to pressures of people around you. Do what you feel is best for you

sweetmspea

I was 26 when I had my one and only. I think I was much more able to enjoy her. You are so young still, I say wait until you get more established.

k8blujay2

My mom was 22 when she had me... and was done by the time she was 30... I had my first (and only at this point) child a few months before I turned 30... a college education and then being married to the right person was more important to me than having a kid early in my 20's... though I'm sure I would have had way more energy then.... but then, I feel like I am still 22 anyway.

itgeekwoman

20, 22, 24 .. thank goodness cause I had a hysterectomy at 26

LiftBigtoGetFit

17 for my first, made things tough but wouldn't change it. had my other 3 all before 28. I like having them while I am young enough to keep up with them and participate with them... plus they will all be over 20 when I am 48 so my wife and I can enjoy some time together while we are still young enough

megsi474

I was 25, 28 and 30 when I had my boys. The only thing I may have changed was being married longer and enjoying the newlywed time before the first baby came. I was pregnant at my wedding and didn't know it.

robinogue

I had my only child at the age of 17.. I say wait, enjoy life to the fullest then settle down to have a husband and children. I don't regret one bit but I had to grow up real quick..